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Tantalus Media

Games & Interactive
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Founded
1994
Employees
51-200
Offices
3

About Tantalus Media

Tantalus Media is an Australian video game development studio specializing in console and PC porting, remastering and AAA co-development. Founded in 1994, the company works with publishers and development partners to adapt established games for new platforms, deliver complete platform versions and support releases after launch. Its development operations span Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The studio’s capabilities cover systems architecture, gameplay and graphics programming, UI/UX, technical art, environment production, animation, quality assurance and platform compliance. Its engineering work includes adapting proprietary engines and developing with Unreal Engine and Unity. Projects range from handheld and wearable games to complex console and PC strategy, simulation and action titles, with additional support for downloadable content, live operations and cross-play engineering.

From arcade conversions to modern remasters

Tantalus initially established its reputation through Sega Saturn conversions of arcade games, including Manx TT Superbike, Area 51, Maximum Force and The House of the Dead. It subsequently developed for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, producing games such as Top Gear Rally and the Pony Friends series. This portable development history preceded its later focus on technically demanding console adaptations and remasters.

The company launched the internal Straight Right imprint in 2010 for core console projects. Work released under that label included the Wii U versions of Mass Effect 3: Special Edition and Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut. Tantalus later developed The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and contributed to console adaptations of Cities: Skylines and Stellaris: Console Edition.

Co-development and platform adaptation

More recent work includes Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition and Age of Mythology: Retold, alongside Lego 2K Drive, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and games for Google’s Fitbit Ace LTE platform. Its regional development teams also contribute to console and PC projects, including Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition.

Keywords Studios acquired an 85% interest in Tantalus in March 2021. The company continues to operate as an active development studio within the group.

More about Tantalus Media

Founders and leadership

  • Andrew Bailey and Trevor Nuridin founded the business.
  • Steve Dauterman and Tom Davies assumed studio leadership in January 2025. David Giles is identified as COO, and Kim Forrest leads Tantalus South.
  • Former CEO Tom Crago stepped down in December 2024 after leading the company from 2001, remaining involved as an advisor and mentor.

Historical milestones

  • Perfect Entertainment owned Tantalus between 1995 and 1998, after which the studio returned to independence.
  • Netus Capital backed the company from 2007 until Tom Crago completed a management buyout in 2010.

Recognition and regional partnerships

  • The studio's 2003 Game Boy Advance release Top Gear Rally received IGN's Game of the Year award; this recognition was for the game.
  • Regional expansion involved Screen Queensland for Tantalus North and the South Australian Film Corporation and Department for Trade and Investment for Tantalus South.

Notable credits

24 credits
  • Cities: Skylines – Expanded Edition
  • Age of Mythology: Retold
  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
  • Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
  • Fitbit Arcade Titles for Fitbit Ace LTE
  • Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition
  • Lego 2K Drive
  • Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
  • Stellaris: Console Edition
  • The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
  • Cities: Skylines – Console & Switch Editions
  • Sonic Mania
  • Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut (Wii U, as Straight Right)
  • Mass Effect 3: Special Edition (Wii U, as Straight Right)
  • Pony Friends
  • Pony Friends 2
  • Top Gear Rally
  • Monster Truck Madness
  • MX vs. ATV: On the Edge
  • Cars Mater-National Championship
  • Manx TT Superbike
  • Area 51
  • Maximum Force
  • The House of the Dead

Offices

Where Tantalus Media is based

3 locations

  • Tantalus Media

    Headquarters
    12 Spring Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, AustraliaMelbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Opened 1994

    Overall company headquarters and primary development center, housing engineering, art, production and executive leadership.

    +61 3 6160 7008
    View map

  • Tantalus South

    Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    About this office

    Direct regional branch focused on AAA console and PC development, including contributions to Age of Mythology: Retold and Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition. The report places its establishment across late 2022 and early 2023.

  • Tantalus North

    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Opened 2022

    About this office

    Direct regional development branch in Fortitude Valley, established in 2022 for AAA game development. No street address is established by the report.

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